jakeny
Baseband Member
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- 89
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- United States
If you're at a city public library (mine is pretty huge locally), would it be safe to make online purchases on their public computers?
Last edited:
Safe as long you don't leave any information stored on the computer.
Why would you use a public computer to do your online shopping anyway?
Libraries and internet cafes are prime targets for keyloggers and are usually rife with malware of all types - including credential stealers - which will happily scrape your passwords and any other form data you enter. It's capable of doing this regardless of whether it is an SSL (https) site you're using or not since the malware is operating with your web browser, not intercepting the traffic after it has been encrypted. These types of threats are known as Man-in-the-Browser credential-stealing botnets.
Whilst I'm not trying to imply that every public computer will steal all your information, why take the chance when you don't need to?
I never ever use library computers (Not that I go to one) or public computers. If I do I never purchase anything even over a https connection. I only use my laptop, smartphone or tablet on their guest WiFi network they provide you with which is secured.